Garbine Muguruza v Maria Sharapova
Sharapova To Win – 11/10
The tennis world mourned when Serena Williams withdrew from her fourth round match with Sharapova on Monday as it was sure to have been the highlight of the tournament so far. Over the past decade they’ve had a Wile. E Coyote v Road Runner-like ‘rivalry’ where Serena basically wins every time, but we all love a trier. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be this time and Masha moves on to the quarter finals.
She should be feeling fresh in this meeting with the powerful Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, who only played two games in her fourth round match before opponent Lesia Tsurenko retired. Sharapova leads this head-to-head 3-0 and we fancy the two time French Open champ to progress to the semis here. Having watched her match against Pliskova (the good one), we were highly impressed with her footwork and the power she was getting into her forehand and we don’t think anyone will be looking forward to playing her this week.
Sharapova to win at 11/10 here is a serious punt. Fill the boots.
Romania’s Simona Halep serves the ball to Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their women’s singles fourth round match on day nine of the Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 4, 2018. (Photo by Eric FEFERBERG / AFP) (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images)
Simona Halep v Angelique Kerber
Kerber To Win – 15/8
This should be a cracking encounter, with the current world’s top-ranked player in Halep taking on a previous rankings topper Angelique Kerber in a battle of the metaphorical giants – neither competitor surpasses 5’8” in height.
Since dropping a set in the opening round to Alison Riske, Halep has looked on form and cruised into this quarter final matchup in style. She hasn’t played anyone threatening though, and the fact can’t be ignored that she is yet to win a Grand Slam title, despite spending 31 weeks at number 1 and reaching three grand slam finals. She seems unable to get the job done.
Kerber, on the other hand, is more comfortable at winning and already has two grand slam titles (both in 2016) to her credit. For this reason we feel she is excellent value to win this match at 15/8. She looked very comfortable dispatching the highly fancied home favourite Caroline Garcia in the last round and that was reassurance enough for us.
TOPSHOT – Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Germany’s Maximilian Marterer during their men’s singles fourth round match on day nine of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 4, 2018. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal v Diego Schwartzman
Nadal – 2nd Set Game Handicap (-2.5) – 11/10
Not much to say here really. Easily the greatest ever clay court player we have ever (and probably will ever) see in Nadal takes on a minor speed bump in the minute Argentinian Schwartzman. Barring injury Nadal will win this match, the only question is by how much.
Our reasoning behind the 2nd set game handicap is sometimes Rafa can start a tad slow, or else his opponents give all they can in the opening set and then fade. So, by the time the second set comes around, Nadal should be in stride and capable of obliterating Schwartzman. -2.5 games at 11/10 seems a beaut so get on this one.
Get caked in sweat and clay over at PaddyPower.com, and maybe place a few French Open bets as well*All odds correct at time of posting